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DRABCD essential first aid action

B = Breathing

After an unconscious casualty's airway is cleared, the next step is to check for signs of life including whether or not
the casualty is breathing (more then the occasional gasp.) This is done by the "LOOK, LISTEN, FEEL" method:

Gently place your hand on the diaphragm (above belly button, under ribs of casualty.)

Put your ear over the casualty's nose and mouth (not touching.)

LOOK at your hand. Is it moving with the rise and fall of the casualty's breathing?

LISTEN for any breathing with your ear close to casualty's mouth.

FEEL for any evidence of breathing both with your hand on the diaphragm and for any breath on your
ear.

Do this for 10 seconds.

If the casualty IS breathing:

Put the casualty in the recovery position. This is laying on the side for a child/adult, head tilted back and mouth
tilted toward the ground. For a baby, they should be in your arms face-down with a clear airway (no fingers around the
throat).

Check breathing continuously as an unconscious casualty can stop breathing at any time.

If the casualty is NOT breathing:

Give this casualty two rescue breaths. This differs depending on age.

BABY: (Up to 12 months of age.)

No head tilt is required (though chin should not be on the chest.)

Put your mouth over the baby's nose AND mouth.

Blow two very soft "puffs" of air into the baby's lungs. (About the same force as blowing out a candle, which is very
quick and small.)

CHILD: (Between age 1-8 years.)

½ a head tilt is required. Place one hand on the forehead, the other on the chin (not the throat) and tilt the head back
½ way.

Pinch the child's nose closed.

Completely cover the child's mouth with your mouth.

Blow two small breaths of air into the child's lungs

ADULT: (Age 9 years and above.)

Full head tilt is required. Place one hand on the forehead, the other on the chin (not the throat) and tilt the head back
as far back as it will naturally go without force.

Pinch the casualty's nose closed.

Completely cover the casualty's mouth with your mouth.

Blow two full breaths of air into the casualty's lungs.

Remember, you should feel the casualty's expired air, and as they do this you should be turning your head to the side to
get a fresh breath of air.

Double-check the breathing by the "LOOK, LISTEN, FEEL" method once again and re-assess.

C = Compressions

This has changed for those used to checking the pulse ("circulation") at this point. There is no need to check a
casualty's circulation as this has been proven to be too much room for life-threatening error.

If a casualty is unconscious with no breathing, start compressions immediately:

BABY:

Place your index and middle fingers in the centre of the baby's chest, between the nipples.

CHILD AND ADULT:

Place the heel of your hand in the centre of the chest, between the casualty's nipples (your middle finger in line with
the casualty's armpit for an adult.)

The next step is regardless of age:

Give 30 compressions

At a rate of 100 compressions per minute (approx 2 compressions per second)

At 1/3 depth of the casualty's chest.

After the 30 compressions, give two more breaths of air, being mindful of casualty's age determining head tilt and
breath.

Continue this cycle of 30 compressions, 2 breaths (the ratio of 30:2) until the ambulance not only arrives, but physically
takes over from you.

D = Defibrillation

Fibrillation is a life threatening condition in which the heart beats so fast that the casualty doesn't have adequate
circulation to sustain life, therefore they become unconscious with no breathing. It is rarely associated with babies and
children.

Defibrillation is when an AED machine (Automatic External Defibrillator) is used to increase the chance of survival for a
casualty suffering fibrillation. The AED is now available in many public places, therefore formal training for using an AED
is encouraged.

REMEMBER:

ANY ATTEMPT AT RESUSCITATION IS BETTER THEN NO ATTEMPT - Australian Resuscitation Council.